For anyone that has been prescribed orthodontic braces and gone through the wearing cycle, the benefits are evident. Braces will completely transform your smile and do wonders for any self esteem issues you may have had because of crooked teeth.

Of course, this transformation can take up to a few years and the way you eat will have to be modified during the time you have the braces in your mouth. Here are some general eating guidelines for people with braces.Foods to Avoid
When you have braces, it’s wise to avoid certain foods altogether. Here are some foods to stay away from:

Nuts

Chewing gum

Popcorn

Chewy candies

Chocolate chips

Hard pretzels

Pizza crust

Croutons

With Caution:

Bagels

Chicken wings

Spareribs

Nacho chips

Hard fruits

Raw vegetables

Granola bars

Corn on the cob

Be sure to chew the ‘caution’ foods thoroughly with your back teeth, or cut them up so they’re small. As time goes by, you’ll figure out which foods will work and which ones won’t. The world of orthodontics isn’t overly complex, and you’ll figure it out soon enough.

The Comfort Issue
The whole point of getting orthodontic braces is to straighten your teeth. However, the braces actually have to physically move your teeth into a new position. This involves getting the braces tightened from time to time, which involves pain. Not rolling on the ground kind of pain, but enough to make eating uncomfortable. Here are some eating tips for when you have your braces tightened.

Choose softer food – foods with a liquid base like yogurts and soups work well the first few days. Mashed potatoes and thoroughly cooked vegetables might also work.

Cut up food well – with your teeth ultra sensitive, you’ll want to cut or tear your food into the smallest pieces possible.

Play it by ear – during those first days when the discomfort level is at it’s highest, avoid whatever foods you have to avoid. Also, treat your teeth a little more gently than normal when it comes to brushing.

A Word About Sugar
The case to avoid sugary and starchy foods is a strong one at any time, and even more when you wear braces. Plaque may be formed around the brackets of your braces from bacteria feeding on the sugar. In a worst case scenario, this plaque can eat away the calcium from your teeth and leave permanent white marks on your teeth.

This post is brought to you by Gemma Wilis. When caring for her teeth, she looks only to the best Toronto dentist in her area. Waldman Carol Dr 808 York Mills Road Toronto, ON M3B 1X8 (416) 445-6000 – providing expert orthodontic care and service to help her better care for her teeth.